Theater a hazard? You bet

Co-director injured during Civic Theatre production.

Co-director injured during Civic Theatre production.

September 22, 2006

The show must go on, no matter what. Last weekend, South Bend Civic Theatre presented "Always...Patsy Cline" at the Bendix Theater in Century Center. Early in the Friday night performance, J. Michael Johnson, the first tenor in the Jordanaires and co-director of the play, slipped after he walked offstage. Co-director Jeff A. Wilder told the story before Sunday's concluding performance: "He tripped and popped a hip. He has an artificial hip and he was in a lot of pain." Coming to the rescue was the band's drummer, yes, the drummer. Walt Langheinrich's day job is a surgeon. "He examined him and he knew he needed to be seen," Wilder said. "He used his cell phone to call the E.R. and told them who needed to see him." There were a few quick moves on stage to cover the parts, and the show went on without interruption as actresses Janet Shafer (playing Patsy) and Mickey Hay (playing Louise Seger) didn't miss a beat. "We learned long ago to learn everyone's part," Wilder said. Wilder, also a member of the Jordanaires (Patsy's backing vocalists), stepped in to sing Johnson's part and Jack Pavlekovich (a guitarist) filled in as the second tenor. Johnson was forced to sit out the Saturday and Sunday shows. He has been active in theater since 1979 and is one of the founders of South Bend Junxion, which was formed in 1983. Occasionally things occur. South Bend Civic Theatre Executive director Jim Coppens joked that theater can be a dangerous activity. *** Sherry Clarke of Mishawaka will be honored Oct. 6 in Indianapolis by the Indiana Pro Bono Commission with its Randall T. Shepard Award for her commitment to the pro bono movement in Indiana. Sherry was selected for her dedication and delivery of legal services to the poor in Indiana. She was the plan administrator for the District 2 Pro Bono Legal Services Committee from its creation in 2001 until her retirement this spring. She worked with the other districts and the bar association to organize the first Talk to a Lawyer program. *** A page turner. Local writers Jeanne Dams and Johnnie Griffin and local magician Kevin Wilson are among those participating in Saturday's Open Book Festival at the St. Joseph County Public Library, 304 S. Main St., South Bend. It is a big event from 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. The festival features authors and illustrators who lead folks through the creative process of writing and ideas, and how those things all percolate. Jeanne and Johnnie will be in the Dickinson Conference Room from 9:30 to 11:30 a.m. They will discuss writing and getting published. Magician Kevin will be doing magic at noon in the Colfax Auditorium. If you have news about people or an interesting tidbit, send it to the South Bend Tribune, Kathy Borlik, 225 W. Colfax Ave., South Bend 46626 or e-mail: metrocommunity@sbtinfo.com; or phone (574) 235-6233.Kathy Borlik Namely News Kathy Borlik writes this weekly column about people.